Atticus Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 So how are the rockets doing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Well, damn. There goes the series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paul137 Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 wow certainly a great comeback by the pistons. now hopefully they don't let up and go for the kill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share Posted May 11, 2007 I'm predicting a hard-fought Pistons win in six, but the Bulls are peaking, and they can beat just about anyone the way they're playing right now. Though I think Detroit will still win, their fans are way too cocky going into this series. The guys in my golf league were all pretty much convinced that it would be a Pistons sweep. They obviously don't recall that the Bulls won the season series 3-1, including an 18-point win at the Palace only a month ago. The Pistons have dialed it up far more than I thought they were even capable of. The postseason turns them into freaks. Still hoping the Bulls can steal a game, but "steal" is about their only option at this point. Damn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I would imagine Detroit will plow through the Cavs as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Damn, I love the hell out of Tyrus Thomas. And I think 'Sheed is my favorite non-Bull in the league. "You know that ain't right." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I don't like how this game is looking right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oatmealblizzard Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Just thought I'd mention that the Stoudemire and Diaw suspensions are complete bullshit and could really hurt the Suns. I mean, Bowen kicks Nash in the nuts a couple games ago and, well, that's cool. But Stoudemire taking a few meaningless steps off the bench after the Suns' leader gets intentionally leveled apparently warrants a suspension. In a 2-2 series! Really? Come on now. Sometimes things have to be thought about in the context in which they occurred. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 There's a video clip of Duncan and Parker stepping off of the bench after a foul earlier in the game... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I'm sort of torn about it. On one hand, I don't like the idea of a playoff series being swayed by suspensions -- I'd rather see it decided by who has the best team over 7 games. On the other hand, the league has it's rules and in order for them to mean anything, they have to enforce them. I'm inclined to say that maybe suspensions should be served in the next regular season, but I can see how maybe this would result in some players being willing to sit out next season if it means doing something that could swing a playoff game. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oatmealblizzard Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Yes ... I can understand that, and I am sure that's why the league suspended them. But, it is still ridiculous. Everyone on the floor is grabbing and shoving. But Stoudemire and Diaw walk off the bench, DON'T EVEN DO ANYTHING, and walk immediately back. And they are suspended. I think it is just stupid that the league is penalizing these guys for giving a damn, feeling some connection to their teammates, and showing some emotion in the moment when their best player is leveled (after having been consistently and intentionally punished for the whole series so far). It is lucky for the Spurs that pretty much no one who gives a shit was on the bench at that point, or they'd probably be out, too. And yeah, I would like to see this video clip of Duncan and Parker leaving the bench. And maybe email it to Stern. Damnit. I am starting to really dislike the Spurs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oatmealblizzard Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 After a quick search, it has been found. Now I am really pissed about this. If Amare is being penalized for this, so should Duncan. Fair is fair. Rules are rules. Duncan leaving bench. EDIT: The league has apparently already addressed this, too (a little over halfway through this article). The Suns are really getting the shaft in this series. I hope they win by 30 without Stoudemire. Then by 40 when he returns. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Bomb Henry Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I rank David Stern slightly above Bud Selig in the management departement. Stern has basically destroyed the NBA. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Stern is far and away the best commissioner in any major American sport. Not for things like this, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 I rank David Stern slightly above Bud Selig in the management departement. Stern has basically destroyed the NBA.That's crazy talk. Stern built the NBA into a juggernaut, after being a marginal league for decades. Sure, he had some help -- Jordan started in the NBA the year he became commissioner -- but much of Stern's genius was in understanding how to exploit his stars to help the league. He also has been the driving force behind the league's heightened profile overseas. It's reasonable to assume that the NBA would not be quite so international if Stern had not been the commissioner. Sure, he's had his gaffes -- the dress code, the universally hated microfiber basketball -- but his successes have far outnumbered his missteps. How, exactly, has Stern "destroyed the NBA," in your estimation? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oatmealblizzard Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Over the long haul, Stern has been a really excellent commissioner and done a lot of good for the league. I'm just not sure what he is thinking lately. Here's a pretty good article. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Stern has done some very good things when it comes to marketing the league, but he's a total asshat when it comes to fairly applying rules so as to encourage competition. He's too worried about what players look like, and not concerned enough about actual fairness on the court. The NBA is the only major sports league where a large segment (majority?) of the fan base completely accept that different players will get favorable calls and that others will not. That's no way to run a league and I think it's bound to catch up with them eventually. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oatmealblizzard Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 Bill Simmons tells it like it is. I agree almost 100%, though I will be watching tonight's game in the hopes the Suns still kick the shit out of the Spurs. Now here's where the NBA failed: For a league that professes to be concerned about dirty play and any situation that could lead to a brawl, the league has curiously looked the other way with the single dirtiest player in the league. If he pulled this crap on a pickup court, or even in college intramurals, somebody would have punched Bowen in the face and broken his jaw. In the NBA? He gets to keep doing his thing and putting other players in danger. In the Phoenix series alone, he tripped Stoudemire from behind on a dunk in Game 2, kneed Nash in the groin in Game 3 and tried to knock Nash off balance in Game 5 as they were running back upcourt (causing a frustrated Nash to elbow him in the chops). The league penalizes two Phoenix stars for instinctively running towards an injured teammate, but they don't penalize a perpetually dirty player who's eventually going to trigger an ugly brawl before the end of his career? How the hell does that make sense? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 It might be worth pointing out that Stern's marketing techniques, specifically exploiting Michael Jordan's fame overseas, have significantly improved the overall level of competition, imo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oatmealblizzard Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 It might be worth pointing out that Stern's marketing techniques, specifically exploiting Michael Jordan's fame overseas, have significantly improved the overall level of competition, imo. This is very true and one of the main reasons I posted this earlier: Over the long haul, Stern has been a really excellent commissioner and done a lot of good for the league.I just think his decision making recently has been something nearing atrocious. Suns-Spurs just tipped off, so I'm out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rwrkb Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 okay, i have to say this now, while there's still time and so there's a record i said it in case it happens: i had a dream about three or four weeks ago that the pistons beat the suns in the finals. i think in a game seven, but that part is a little fuzzy. i've had dreams about sporting events before and they've always ended up true. this is the furthest in advance i've had one and i am tempted to lay down some money on it, but have been using good sense and have yet to do so. anyway, i'm calling it: pistons beat suns. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Bomb Henry Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 That's crazy talk. Stern built the NBA into a juggernaut, after being a marginal league for decades. Sure, he had some help -- Jordan started in the NBA the year he became commissioner -- but much of Stern's genius was in understanding how to exploit his stars to help the league. He also has been the driving force behind the league's heightened profile overseas. It's reasonable to assume that the NBA would not be quite so international if Stern had not been the commissioner. Sure, he's had his gaffes -- the dress code, the universally hated microfiber basketball -- but his successes have far outnumbered his missteps. How, exactly, has Stern "destroyed the NBA," in your estimation? I went to an NBA game about 2 years ago. Hawks vs Pacers and it was one of the worst things I have ever witnessed. No effort, horrible shooting and just flat out terrible basketball. A b I think the NBA offers a terrible product and he is the person offering. However I do enjoy watching the Bulls and the Suns play. I just have a hard time watching players like Sodomite Bryant and such. Plus I'm still irritated at Stern's biggest gaffe.....his handling of the Palace brawl. He should've forced the Pistons to play a few home games with no fans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 I went to an NBA game about 2 years ago. Hawks vs Pacers and it was one of the worst things I have ever witnessed. No effort, horrible shooting and just flat out terrible basketball.Well, duh. It was the Hawks. What did you expect? Also ... it was the Pacers. What did you expect? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paul137 Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 okay, i have to say this now, while there's still time and so there's a record i said it in case it happens: i had a dream about three or four weeks ago that the pistons beat the suns in the finals. i think in a game seven, but that part is a little fuzzy. i've had dreams about sporting events before and they've always ended up true. this is the furthest in advance i've had one and i am tempted to lay down some money on it, but have been using good sense and have yet to do so. anyway, i'm calling it: pistons beat suns. i hope you are right Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 Congrats to the Pistons. The better team won. Hopefully the Bulls will get an interior scorer and they'll meet late next year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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